Former House of Representatives member, Dr. Farah Dagogo, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for Rivers State ahead of the next general election.
Dagogo secured the party’s ticket after winning the direct primaries conducted across the 319 wards in the 23 local government areas of the state.
According to the results announced by the Chairman of the ADC Rivers Governorship Primary Electoral Committee, Dr. Agu Bryan, Dagogo polled a total of 64,700 votes to defeat his closest rival, Dr. Sokonte Davies, who scored 9,050 votes.
Bryan said the exercise was conducted in line with party guidelines and monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He added that Dagogo satisfied all requirements and was duly declared the winner of the primary election.
In his acceptance speech, Dagogo expressed appreciation to party members for the confidence reposed in him, describing his victory as a collective achievement.
“I wish to express my profound gratitude to the leadership and members of the African Democratic Congress in Rivers State for the confidence reposed in me by electing me as the party’s governorship candidate for the forthcoming gubernatorial election,” he said.
“I am deeply honoured to have emerged from among several distinguished and highly qualified aspirants who equally sought the party’s ticket.”
He emphasised that the outcome of the primary should not be seen as a personal triumph, but as a shared victory for the party and the people of Rivers State.
“This victory is not mine alone; it belongs to every member of our great party and every Rivers citizen who believes in the possibility of a better future for our state,” he stated.
Dagogo called for unity among party members and residents of the state, urging them to work together toward a common goal of development and stability.
“The task before us is greater than any individual ambition; it is about building a functional, secure and economically viable Rivers State that works for everyone,” he said.
He pledged to run an inclusive administration that would draw lessons from past leaders in the state, including Commander Alfred Diete-Spiff, Chief Ada George, Dr. Peter Odili, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Chief Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
According to him, his administration would build on past achievements while correcting shortcomings to achieve sustainable development.
Dagogo also promised an issue-based campaign focused on governance reforms rather than personal attacks.
“We will not engage in mudslinging, personal attacks or divisive politics,” he said.
Instead, he outlined plans to prioritise security, education, youth empowerment, job creation, healthcare improvement and economic development in Rivers State.
He added that his ambition was to restore dignity and strengthen prosperity in the state through people-centred policies and practical governance solutions.
